"If the patient has a different culture, we need to understand that culture in order to provide a culturally-adapted cure," he says.

Placebo effect?

According to tradition, people become medicine men and women because they feel a calling.

They receive training from their elders to learn about herbs and their properties but this is, of course, not comparable to the years of studying that doctors undergo.

Jenny Layedra (right) says she would not hesitate to try indigenous medicine again

The hospital's doctors do not seem to be opposed to traditional medicine.

They say their ability to offer a combination of treatments is important.

Eduardo Silva, a clinical psychologist, says the traditional approach can complement his work because some indigenous patients might be more willing to take other medication if it is accompanied by what the shamans advise.

"At the hospital we're trying to integrate the subjective part, which comes from the cultural aspect, from one's beliefs and values, with the objective part, which is scientific," he says.

Few scientific studies have been conducted to assess whether Andean medicine is truly successful or if it only works as a placebo.

As long as it does not substitute evidence-based medicine and is used to treat minor illnesses, demonstrating its validity is not necessary, Mr Ortega argues.

"Validation is provided by the patients. If they feel it is good, that is all we need," he says.

Judging from patients' satisfaction after their limpias, this hospital's model seems to be working.

"I feel renewed," says Ms Layedra after the limpia.

"When the yachak sprayed the tincture on me, I felt that all the negative feelings inside my body left me," she says.

"If I feel unwell again, I would not hesitate to come back immediately."

BBC links

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.